h serves to further the concerns of the poem. For instance, the second stanza is one sentence. This serves to effectively capture the emotion and imagery of the burial clouds suddenly eclipsing the night sky because there are no breaks (periods) in the action. In accordance with this last example, each stanza in the poem seems to encompass one idea or event. Thus, these stanzas vary not only in length, but also in importance. Also, it is important to note that there is no rhyme scheme. This is not to say that Whitman has no use for rhyme, for there is internal rhyme in line 27 (suggestion and indirection). In this example we see that Whitman does not incorporate rhyme just to fulfill some pattern at the end of lines, he uses it to add emphasis to a certain passage. In this particular passage, the rhyme adds emphasis to the fact that there are no absolute or direct answers to the concerns Whitman addresses in the poem. Still, the true genius in Whitmans style, is his ability to not only address the thoughts, emotions, and concerns of a living man, but mirror the living flow of these qualities in his lyrical style. Yet, there is a disadvantage to Whitmans style that the reader may or may not encounter. Difficulties in reading Whitman arise in his lack of traditional regularity, form, and design. There is something to be said of reading a poem, which is neatly packaged within the confines of a pre-designed structure. It provides a level comfort that goes hand in hand with familiarity. When reading a traditional British poem, we know to expect certain themes and structures (which present these themes). When we come across something as unpredictable as Whitmans style, we may spend more time deciphering Whitmans themes or following Whitmans structures, than experiencing the poem in its entirety. However, Whitmans effectiveness remains a matter of personal preference. It may be true that following Whitmans unpredictable style ...
